1. Photoactivatable Gasotransmitter Release (NO, CO, H₂S)
Multiple works focus on light-triggered release of signaling molecules like NO and CO.
Integration with nanocarriers (e.g., liposomes, vesicles and gels) for spatial-temporal control.
Key papers:
Photoresponsive NO release from AIE-active Ru–nitrosyl complexes (Inorg. Chem. 2025)
Red-light Responsive CO Release Liposomes (Chem. Eur. J., 2025 – VIP)
Near-IR mediated CO release for cancer gas therapy (Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm., 2021)
2. Ruthenium Complexes for Solar Energy Conversion
Development of terpyridine and NHC-based Ru(II) complexes for photosensitization and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Studies combine synthesis, photophysics, electrochemistry, and DFT.
Key papers:
Terpyridine-based Ru complexes for DSSCs (Dalton Trans., Eur. J. Inorg. Chem.)
C^N donor Ru complexes with solar application (New J. Chem., 2023)
3. Sensing and Detection (Colorimetric & Fluorescent Sensors)
Wide-ranging sensor development for:
Herbicides (glyphosate)
Ions (Hg²⁺, CN⁻, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺)
Environmental analytes (moisture, phosgene)
Emphasis on portable, smartphone-integrated, and low-cost platforms.
Sensors for water, food safety, environmental pollutants.
Key papers:
Smartphone-based herbicide sensor (NJC, 2025)
Multi-analyte amphiphilic sensors (Methods, 2024)
4. Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Systems
Design of AIE-active Schiff bases, fluorescent liposomes, and multianalyte sensors.
Mechanochromism, thermochromism, and solvatochromic sensing.
Key papers:
AIE-active Schiff bases (ChemistrySelect, 2024)
AIE-based NO donors (iScience, 2024)
2014-2017: Supramolecular fluorescent probes for the selective detection of biological signalling molecule H₂S (DST-Young Scientist Project)—Completed.
2016-2019: Metal complexes modified nanoscale vesicles for therapeutic carbon monoxide delivery (CSIR-EMR(II))—Completed.
2018-2021 Photoinduced release of therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) from functionalized self-assembled nanovesicles (Department of Biotechnology)—Completed.
2018-2021: Development of Highly Sensitive Colorimetric and Fluorescent Moisture Sensors, Based on Small Molecules, Chemically Modified Paper and Electrospun Nanofibrous Materials SERB-DST (Core Research Grant)—Completed.
2022-2025: Smartphone assisted portable chemical sensor for the detection of toxic heavy metals and pesticides in water bodies of Haryana DST-Haryana (On-going)
2023-2026: New materials for CO release and their potential applications SERB(CRG) (On-going)
2023-2026: Near-infrared (NIR) responsive liposomal nano-system composed of organolanthanide complexes for the sensing and bioimaging of gaseous signalling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) CSIR research scheme (On-going)